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University Village has three (!) Starbucks locations, so I wore my messenger bag to make sure I'd be able to haul all my new CDs/records home. The first location I visited was the University Village Starbucks North, next to the Crate & Barrel.

University Village Starbucks North

In-Store Music: Ella Fitzgerald - "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall"

So, two of the same releases found at the other location, for a total of six albums available from three Starbucks locations, some of them quality (Apple, Kiwanuka), none of them local. And nothing from this month's reviews--not even Dave Matthews!

Here's a fake conversation I had with a barista at the Universty Village Starbucks South location, let's call him Geoff:

Me: "Hey, Geoff, where's all the CDs/records?"

Geoff: "What? Um, we have some CDs here." *gestures towards four small CD racks at counter*

Me: "Right, but I mean your new local releases, that sort of thing. Where are those?"

Geoff: "Ehhh...I'm not sure why anyone would say that. Look, if you're not gonna buy anything could you not hold up the line, please? I've got Frappucino's to blend."

So, I went home empty-handed. But within five minutes of sitting down at my computer, I was able to download (legally, illegally, whichever) about half of this month's new local albums! I could also have purchased them in person at any number of fine, local independent record stores, such as Wall of Sound, Sonic Boom, Easy Street (which, granted, won "Best Place to Buy Vinyl" [non-siding/industrial]), Silver Platters ("Best Used CD Store"), Jive Time, Singles Going Steady, etc.